Systemic Family Therapist

Overview

The closing date is 15 February 2026

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Systemic Psychotherapist to join our Under 18 Eating Disorder Day Service, a pilot initiative launched in January 2024. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an evolving and innovative service that is already making a positive impact by supporting young people with moderate to severe eating disorders within the community.

The position is available as a secondment until 31st March 2027.

The role plays a pivotal part in delivering intensive, family-focused interventions designed to prevent inpatient admissions. The service blends multi-family group therapy with direct, home-based therapeutic input delivered by our Closer2

Home team, enabling families to apply therapeutic strategies in real-life settings.

We are looking for a dynamic, compassionate, and experienced systemic therapist who is confident in working with young people and families affected by eating disorders. Applicants should have a background in CAMHS and/or eating disorder services and demonstrate clinical confidence, creativity, and the ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team. Skills in delivering systemic interventions, supporting family functioning, and contributing to service development will be highly valued.

While a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be beneficial, it is not essential.

We also welcome applications from individuals who are nearing completion of their systemic psychotherapy training.

To provide high quality, highly specialised, evidence based systemic Family Therapy to individuals, their families, and carers with an eating disorder.

To work as a member of a multi disciplinary team to provide assessment and interventions for individuals, and their families who have been referred to the Eating Disorders Service.

To develop high quality specialist family therapy assessment and intervention within the team.

To provide family therapy advice and supervision to colleagues.

To involve service users/carers in the planning of their treatment and development of the service.

To promote autonomy of individuals. The principal role is in partnership with individuals, families and carers to assess, plan and implement interventions and care to promote recovery from eating disorders.

At Dorset Health Care we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset Health Care offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

• Masters or Doctoral level qualification in Systemic Psychotherapy
• Eligibility…